THIS IS THE TRUE STORY of how Darryl Starbird, "The Bubble Top King",  also became "The Model King",,, Beginning in 1961, Darryl Starbird became the Design Consultant For Monogram Models...one of the most respected, and, recognized names in the Model Building Industry at that time.  During his tenure with Monogram, Darryl created and produced at least 15 different Rod & Custom-Based Model Kits, building many of the cars in full-size at his shop in Kansas and then bringing them to the Morton Grove, Illinois (Chicago Suburb) so that they could be scaled-down for Model Production. BUT, as it happened many times during Darryl's professional life, the whole process came about in an unusual way...and helped him carve out a whole new set of credentials to add to his illustrious career ! Darryl discussed the entire story in a Sunday Morning conversation with Jonnie at the 28th Annual Kustom Kemps Of America Lead Sled Spectacular in Salina, Kansas. There's lots of inside info that you'll be filled-in on that you've probably never known before about the detailed workings of the Monogram Company, and how precise they were in their scaling of those FANTASTIC Model Kits !  Their qualilty was of such a high-caliber that, even after all these years, they are STILL among the most sought-after, well-built, "classics "of the Hobby that were ever  produced. Oh, and you'll also find out why the "Predicta" Model Kit was painted Red...instead of its original Blue !      (Above left: The Predicta in its original blue paint job; Above right: The Predicta Model Kit in which the color was changed to red. )      (Above left: Ad for one of Monogram's best selling Model Kits of all-time: The Big T ! ; Above right: The Big T on Campus)      (Above left: M.K. John Artwork for Darryl's restoration of the Lil Coffin; Above right:  Contest Ad for a Free Trip to the 1964-1965 NY World's Fair, OR, a Large Scale Model Kit of the Lil Coffin. Better Hurry !  Entries have to be postmarked by August 20, 1964 ! )   Be sure to visit The National Rod & Custom Car Hall Of Fame/Museum Website to see more of Darryl's fantastic, award winning cars !   Just "click" on this link and you're there:  http://www.darrylstarbird.com/index1.htm